Swimming aid system

ABSTRACT

Swimming Aid System with a pair of arm paddles, a pair of ankle paddles, each the paddle removably secured by adjustable nylon straps and associated snap closures, each the paddle capable of rotating about a central axial plane, each the paddle molded of high density polypropalyne plastic or the like, and each the paddle capable of remaining on the users arm or ankle without conscious holding effort on the part of the user. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said leg paddles are affixed to the users ankles, said paddles having a narrower portion where said paddle contacts said ankle and wider, paddle portions to each side of said narrow portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of swimmingaccessories, and more particularly to an improved swimming aid system.

[0002] Swimming aids have been in existence for many years. They includevarious types of swim fins and also hand gloves and paddles thatincrease surface area of the swimmers feet and arms thereby increasingthe possible forward propulsion of the swimmer.

[0003] In particular, G. B. Woods patented a swim fin device in his U.S.Pat. No. 2,950,487 that discloses a paddle that attaches to the usersfoot. Additionally, G. G. Robertson, in his U.S. Pat. No. 1,715,571discloses a paddle that attaches to a users arm.

[0004] Although these two patents go a long way to disclose a method toenhance a persons ability to swim by using increased surface area, theyare deficient in a number of aspects. The Woods patent discloses amethod of attaching the fin device to the foot that is cumbersome, anddifficult to easily adapt to the users foot size. Additionally the twopart construction is expensive and the use of a discrete pivot pointactually provides too much pivot ability for this particularapplication. Although a pivot action is desirable, too much pivot actionwill cause the paddle portion to pivot too easily and therefore notproduce the desired water resistance action. The arm paddle disclosed inthe Robertson patent also has some disadvantages. First, the user isrequired to manually hold onto the end of the paddle and if he or sheaccidentally lets go, the paddle will flop downwards in an undesirableway. Secondly, the retaining strap disclosed is located toward thebottom end of the paddle thereby making it impossible for the paddle topivot in any way. My experiments have shown that if the strap is movedcloser to the users hand, a pivoting action can take place that makes itpossible for the user to bend his or her wrists which is a natural anddesired action in the swimming process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary object of the invention is To provide a swimming aidsystem that incorporates a pair of surface enhancing paddles that canremovably attach to a users hand and arm as well as a pair of surfacearea enhancing paddles that can be removably attached to a personsankles.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a swimming aidsystem that does not interfere with the users ability to walk.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a swimming aidsystem that is very easy to put on and take off.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a swimming aidsystem that does not overly imping on or restrict the users arms, hands,legs or ankles.

[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a swimming aidsystem that provides a balanced thrust enhancement to both arms and legsthereby maximizing the swimmers entire swim stroke.

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0011] Swimming Aid System comprising: a pair of arm paddles, a pair ofankle paddles, each said paddle removably secured by adjustable nylonstraps and associated snap closures, each said paddle capable ofrotating about a central axial plane, each said paddle molded of highdensity polypropalyne plastic or the like, and each said paddle capableof remaining on the users arm or ankle without conscious holding efforton the part of the user.

[0012] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the foot paddle of thepresent invention

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side view of the foot paddle of the present inventionin the neutral position

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of the foot paddle of the present inventionin the forward thrust position

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot paddle of the present inventionin the rear thrust position

[0017]FIG. 5 is a top view of the hand paddle of the present invention

[0018]FIG. 6 is a side view of the hand paddle of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed system, structure or manner.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a front perspective view of thefoot paddle of the present invention 100. Paddle portions 13, 14 areconnected by a thinner central strip 12. strip 12 is concave on its topand bottom to allow for the flexing of foot 42 as it joins leg 11 at theankle. All outer corners of the paddle 13, 14, 12 are radiused to reducethe chance to the paddles to cause unwanted abrasion to adjacent skin.Retaining straps 29, 30 are held in place as they are threaded throughretaining apertures 25, 27 and 26, 28. The added surface area providedby paddles 13, 14 helps increase the swimmers forward thrust withoutproducing cramping in the foot, which is a common problem found whenusing swim fins. The foot paddle 100 of the present invention ismanufactured from a high density polypropalene or polyethelyne. Bothplastics are inexpensive to manufacture and are lighter than water, soif they accidentally fall off, they will float. FIG. 2 shows a side viewof the foot paddle of the present invention. The paddle 14 is held ontothe users leg 11 by nylon strap 31. The strap is easily adjustable bypulling the nylon strap end 35 through standard buckle 33 until tight.This method of attachment is quick and easy. The degree of pivotpotential afforded by the retaining strap 30 has proved to be ideal inthat there is some resistance to pivot yet the connection is looseenough that some pivot is allowable as shown by FIGS. 3 and 4. The pivotaction reduces the tenancy of the users foot to cramp while stillproviding additional surface area needed for additional thrust to theswimmers legs. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the hand paddles of thepresent invention 200. The users four fingers 208 are inserted through atransverse hand rail 232. The users thumb 230 resides under thetransverse hand rail 232. The user does not have to physically grip thehand rail 232 for the hand paddle to work. Ideally, the user keeps hishand in an extended position to further enhance the surface area of theswim stroke. However the user can grip the hand rail 232 if so desired.The main portion of the paddle 212 resides above the users wrist and armand is held in place by retaining strap 240 as it passes throughapertures 204, 206 in paddle 210. Buckle 210 retains nylon strap 240 andallows for tension adjustment in the standard way. The location of thenylon strap with relation to the paddle 212 is important in that itoccurs at the users wrist point so that the paddle can pivot about theusers wrist during use. This wrist strap location is essential for thenatural wrist flex action that takes place during normal swimming. Theuse of both the hand paddles and the foot paddles and described abovecombine to create a balanced enhancement of thrust to both arms and legsof the swimmer thereby defining a complete system of swimmingenhancement that can not be found by using either the hand paddles orfoot paddles alone. However, it is obvious that a person could elect touse either the arm paddles or legs paddles independently. The arm andleg paddles of the present invention are easy and inexpensive tomanufacture and are compact in design making them an ideal choice forswimmers to buy and take to swimming areas.

[0021] While the invention has been described in connection vAth apreferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents asmay be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Swimming Aid System comprising: a pair of armpaddles; a pair of ankle paddles; each said paddle removably secured byadjustable nylon straps and associated snap closures; each said paddlecapable of rotating about a central axial plane; each said paddle moldedof high density polypropelyne plastic or the like; and each said paddlecapable of remaining on the users arm or ankle without conscious holdingeffort on the part of the user.
 2. Swimming Aid System as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said leg paddles are affixed to the users ankles, saidpaddles having a narrower portion where said paddle contacts said ankleand wider, paddle portions to each side of said narrow portion. 3.Swimming Aid System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm paddlesinclude a forward hand gripping means.
 4. Swimming Aid System as claimedin claim 1 wherein said arm paddle their said nylon strap is retained ata location that is approximately one third the distance from said handgrip portion in relation to the entire length of said arm paddle. 5.Swimming Aid System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm paddles andfoot paddles or made of light weight plastic that floats in water.